Shabana in paradise, at least for now, Soy rue chances

Danny OgegaBeat writer, NSL

Shabana team manager Elijah Sani has hailed his side’s character following their narrow 1-0 victory over fifth-placed Nairobi Stima on Saturday, a fete that saw the Gusii stadium-based side end their troubling two-game losing spell.

Sani whose side face APS Bomet at Silibwet Stadium on Wednesday in their midweek fixture had lost against Kenya Police and Soy United on the trot thereby putting their season ambitions of qualifying for the Kenya Premier League in danger.

However, this week will be more of a relive if not a ‘paradise’, but just for the short spell. Looming battles, tough ones, are aplenty and he’s alive to the fact.

“Our performances in the past two games were nowhere near what we expected as a team.

“That is why our weekend win against Nairobi Stima feels like a huge relief because it pushed us to within a shooting distance from the number one team on the log.”

Seventh on the table on 18 points  from 12 outings,  seven behind leaders Police, a win against Struggling APS Bomet( 17th placed on 11points) will elevate the glamor boys into the top three positions should results go their way.

Soy United who suffered the weekend’s biggest loss against league leaders Kenya Police perhaps will be reflecting on their performances more so the second-half implosion that saw them capitulate by allowing in four goals to leave them dangling on the drop zone.

Head coach Sammy “Oti” Twago has however rued fatigue for their poor show since his side traveled overnight and played the following day.

“I understand my players and I cannot point a finger at any of them since they gave their all given the circumstances.

“Logistics is our biggest headache because the team does not have the financial muscle to facilitate early travels,” he reckoned.

Modern Coast Rangers tactician Mohammed Mchule has hinted his players will have to use their two training sessions to work on their concentration ahead of their midweek clash against Nairobi Stima.

“We forgot the basics of playing the game and as expected we are disappointed with our 1-0 loss against Mwatate.

“Even though we have a short period to prepare and recover from the loss, I expect a better performance from everyone against Stima as we cannot afford to lose our third match on the bounce.

Weekend Results

Mt Kenya United 1-1 Silibwet Leon’s

Modern Coast Rangers 0-1 Mwatate United

Kenya Police 4-0 Soy United

FC Talanta 0-0 APS Bomet

Shabana 1-0 Nairobi Stima

Migori Youth 1-1 Fprtune Sacco

MCF 1-1 Murang’a Seal

Kisumu All Stars 1-2 Vihiga Bullets

Kibera Black Stars 2-1 Sony Sugar

Kisumu Hot Stars 0-0 Coast Stima